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| 1 | +# Steering Council Updates for October 2024 |
| 2 | + |
| 3 | +## 2024-10-02 |
| 4 | + |
| 5 | +Release Management: |
| 6 | + |
| 7 | +- Preparations for next week's release underway |
| 8 | +- [Python 3.13 RC3](https://www.python.org/downloads/release/python-3130rc3/) released with Windows installer updates and the [Incremental GC rolled back](https://discuss.python.org/t/incremental-gc-and-pushing-back-the-3-13-0-release/65285) |
| 9 | +- Some concerns about [RC3](https://www.python.org/downloads/release/python-3130rc3/), mostly cosmetic issues to be addressed in 3.13.1 |
| 10 | +- Performance discussions: mixed reports on speed compared to 3.12 |
| 11 | + |
| 12 | +Core Developer Updates: |
| 13 | + |
| 14 | +- Someone nominated for triaging, open vote on Discourse |
| 15 | +- Increase in core developer numbers noted |
| 16 | + |
| 17 | +Process Improvements: |
| 18 | + |
| 19 | +- Discussion on requiring reviews for features in 3.13 and 3.14 |
| 20 | +- Acknowledgment of trust issues within the community |
| 21 | +- Considering changes to discussion processes and decision-making |
| 22 | +- Concerns about workload and response times for working groups |
| 23 | + |
| 24 | +Community Engagement: |
| 25 | + |
| 26 | +- Łukasz invited for Python 3.13 celebrations |
| 27 | +- Upcoming Discord event with Pablo and Łukasz |
| 28 | + |
| 29 | +PyREPL and Windows Issues: |
| 30 | + |
| 31 | +- Functionality issues noted for Windows and shell support |
| 32 | +- Discussions on function key behavior and documentation |
| 33 | + |
| 34 | +Future Planning: |
| 35 | + |
| 36 | +- New [PEP 2026](https://peps.python.org/pep-2026/) for calendar version to be reviewed next week |
| 37 | +- PEP 667 [re-review](https://github.com/python/peps/pull/3845) closed |
| 38 | +- Mentorship survey responses to be checked |
| 39 | + |
| 40 | +Core Developer Sprints: |
| 41 | + |
| 42 | +- Discussions about 2025 sprint location (Cambridge UK proposal) |
| 43 | +- Considerations for accessibility and travel logistics |
| 44 | +- Suggestion to create a document outlining sprint hosting requirements and costs |
| 45 | + |
| 46 | +Miscellaneous: |
| 47 | + |
| 48 | +- Office hours with another developer in residence scheduled for next week |
| 49 | +- [PEP 2026](https://peps.python.org/pep-2026/) to be discussed next week |
| 50 | +- Łukasz's requirement review process discussed |
| 51 | + |
| 52 | +## 2024-10-09 |
| 53 | + |
| 54 | +Developer in Residence Discussion: |
| 55 | + |
| 56 | +- Addressed concerns about a core developer's behavior and communication |
| 57 | +- Discussed workload distribution and priorities |
| 58 | +- Mentioned potential improvements for buildbots and test result tracking |
| 59 | +- Explored ideas for better utilization of developer in residence role |
| 60 | + |
| 61 | +Community Communication: |
| 62 | + |
| 63 | +- Acknowledged concerns about transparency and fear within the community |
| 64 | +- Discussed need for clearer communication about processes and decisions |
| 65 | +- Considered ways to address misconceptions about Steering Council responsibilities |
| 66 | + |
| 67 | +Core Developer Promotion: |
| 68 | + |
| 69 | +- The Steering Council unanimously accepts the community vote to promote Matt Page to Core Developer |
| 70 | + |
| 71 | +Election Process: |
| 72 | + |
| 73 | +- Discussed implementation of STAR voting for upcoming term |
| 74 | +- Noted need for Python Software Foundation to have 4 weeks to implement new voting tools |
| 75 | +- Considered conducting mock elections to test new system |
| 76 | + |
| 77 | +Python 3.13 Release: |
| 78 | + |
| 79 | +- Announced release of [Python 3.13](https://docs.python.org/3/whatsnew/3.13.html) |
| 80 | + |
| 81 | +Core Developer Sprints: |
| 82 | + |
| 83 | +- Discussed potential Arm-hosted sprint in Cambridge UK |
| 84 | +- Considered logistics, including hotel bookings and travel arrangements |
| 85 | +- Explored sponsorship possibilities, including potential separate corporate sponsorship for 2026 |
| 86 | + |
| 87 | +Financial Considerations: |
| 88 | + |
| 89 | +- Discussed need for responsible budgeting aligned with non-profit status |
| 90 | +- Mentioned adherence to US State Department guidelines for per diem and expenses |
| 91 | +- Emphasized importance of Python Software Foundation involvement in financial decisions |
| 92 | + |
| 93 | +Procedural Matters: |
| 94 | + |
| 95 | +- Considered need for Call for Proposals (CFP) for future sprints |
| 96 | +- Discussed community satisfaction and transparency in decision-making |
| 97 | + |
| 98 | +## 2024-10-16 |
| 99 | + |
| 100 | +Developer in Residence Discussion: |
| 101 | + |
| 102 | +- Concerns raised about collaboration and communication within the active [asyncio](https://docs.python.org/3/library/asyncio.html) developers |
| 103 | +- Discussed the need for multiple experts in [asyncio](https://docs.python.org/3/library/asyncio.html) due to its complexity |
| 104 | +- Emphasized the importance of aligning grant work with larger project goals |
| 105 | + |
| 106 | +Core Developer Management: |
| 107 | + |
| 108 | +- Discussed process for removing commit bits from inactive core devs |
| 109 | +- Agreed to defer this discussion to the next Steering Council to avoid confusion with upcoming elections |
| 110 | + |
| 111 | +Core Developer Sprint: |
| 112 | + |
| 113 | +- Proceeding with Arm's offer to host in Cambridge UK |
| 114 | +- Exploring additional sponsorship opportunities |
| 115 | +- Clarified need to set expectations with sponsors regarding exclusivity |
| 116 | + |
| 117 | +PEP 2026 (Calendar Versioning): |
| 118 | + |
| 119 | +- Mixed opinions among SC members, ranging from slightly positive to slightly negative |
| 120 | +- Noted lack of community consensus on the proposal |
| 121 | +- Decided to defer decision to the next Steering Council |
| 122 | + |
| 123 | +Election Process: |
| 124 | + |
| 125 | +- Discussed need for clear timeline for upcoming Steering Council elections |
| 126 | +- Considered using Notion Calendar for scheduling office hours. Decided to defer decision to the next Steering Council |
| 127 | + |
| 128 | +PEP Delegation: |
| 129 | + |
| 130 | +- Discussed process for delegating PEPs to working groups (e.g., C API working group) |
| 131 | +- Considered whether to fully delegate decisions or just seek recommendations |
| 132 | + |
| 133 | +Community Engagement: |
| 134 | + |
| 135 | +- Discussed need for clearer communication about Steering Council's focus in coming months |
| 136 | +- Considered public announcement about deferring certain PEPs to next Steering Council. Decided to respond to all PEPs that will be deferred |
| 137 | + |
| 138 | +## 2024-10-23 |
| 139 | + |
| 140 | +Core Developer Sprint: |
| 141 | + |
| 142 | +- Discussion about possible locations and timing for next year |
| 143 | +- Need to open a poll for dates |
| 144 | +- Location has good facilities including breakout rooms and cafeteria |
| 145 | +- Host site has experience with similar events like Linux mini conference |
| 146 | + |
| 147 | +Administrative Updates: |
| 148 | + |
| 149 | +- Standing delegation docs PR needs review |
| 150 | +- Need to formalize mentorship resources and working group |
| 151 | +- Discussion about type annotations standardization |
| 152 | +- Need to document code of conduct violation handling process |
| 153 | + |
| 154 | +Core Developer Promotion Process: |
| 155 | + |
| 156 | +- Need for more transparent criteria and process |
| 157 | +- Concerns about pushing mentors too hard on promotions |
| 158 | +- Need to balance mentor discretion with transparency |
| 159 | + |
| 160 | +PEP Decisions: |
| 161 | + |
| 162 | +- Decision to defer PEPs [2026](https://peps.python.org/pep-2026/) and [661](https://peps.python.org/pep-0661/) to next steering council |
| 163 | +- Discussion about handling [PEP 761](https://peps.python.org/pep-0761/) |
| 164 | +- Need for clarity on PEP decision timing relative to steering council election |
| 165 | + |
| 166 | +Technical Discussions on JIT |
| 167 | + |
| 168 | +- Concerns raised about debugging and profiling capabilities |
| 169 | +- Discussion about JIT implementation impacts |
| 170 | +- Need for balance between performance improvements and debugging capabilities |
| 171 | +- Suggestion for informational PEP to lay out debugging/profiling issues |
| 172 | + |
| 173 | +## 2024-10-30 |
| 174 | + |
| 175 | +Developer in Residence Update: |
| 176 | + |
| 177 | +- Required reviews for PRs are now implemented, though not disruptive as no PRs are currently automatically marked as features |
| 178 | +- Small disruption occurred due to changing required checks on main, requiring some PRs to update their branches |
| 179 | +- "Do not merge" check was renamed for clarity |
| 180 | +- ARM runners are being added for GitHub for Linux and Windows: |
| 181 | + - Windows runner temporarily on hold due to compiler issues |
| 182 | + - Using paid runners with ARM sponsorship arrangement |
| 183 | + - Cost expected to be lower than MacOS runners ($500/week) |
| 184 | + - ARM will reimburse costs through GitHub sponsorship |
| 185 | + |
| 186 | +- New episode of the [core.py podcast](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLShJCpYUN3C3XrdguJiAZrQEnQGH-Sq26) released |
| 187 | +- Work ongoing on asyncio debugging changes |
| 188 | + - Making changes so borrowed reference to task isn't needed on every generator |
| 189 | + - [_asynciomodule.c](https://github.com/python/cpython/blob/main/Modules/_asynciomodule.c) now holds list of pointers to root tasks for each interpreter |
| 190 | + |
| 191 | +- Increased moderation challenges on Python Discourse forums recently |
| 192 | + - Dealing with controversial discussions about moderation |
| 193 | + - Some users potentially trying to provoke bans |
| 194 | + |
| 195 | +- Another core developer was accepted into the Python Software Foundation Code of Conduct Working Group |
| 196 | + |
| 197 | +Meeting among the Steering Council Members |
| 198 | + |
| 199 | +- Discussion on [PEP 744 (JIT PEP)](https://peps.python.org/pep-0744/): |
| 200 | + - Potential change from informational to standards track PEP |
| 201 | + - Need to set clearer expectations and requirements |
| 202 | + - Concerns about debugging/profiling support |
| 203 | + |
| 204 | +- Issues with CPython development complexity: |
| 205 | + - Performance-focused work making contribution harder |
| 206 | + - Challenge for community contributors to keep up |
| 207 | + |
| 208 | +- Discussion of full-time developer impact: |
| 209 | + - Faster CPython team and Meta employees' (free-threading work) pace of changes |
| 210 | + - Balance between progress and community involvement |
| 211 | + - Review process challenges |
| 212 | + - Discussing if we could require non-affiliated or cross-discipline core dev reviews for a broader perspective on changes |
| 213 | + - Timing and responsiveness concerns |
| 214 | +- Community involvement challenges: |
| 215 | + - Review workload distribution |
| 216 | +- Election planning: |
| 217 | + - Timeline discussion |
| 218 | + - Encouraging nominations |
| 219 | +- Approved August monthly notes for publishing |
| 220 | +- Concerns about maintaining community accessibility |
| 221 | + - Documentation challenges |
| 222 | + - Onboarding new contributors |
| 223 | + - Balance between corporate and community contributions |
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